Saturday once again brought some thrilling results in the Premier League and the EFL. From comfortable wins at home in the Premier League’s opening Saturday to 8 goal thrillers in the EFL Championship, we take a look at the standout results.
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United – Premier League
In the biggest shock of the day in the Premier League, Sunderland beat West Ham three-nil. The Stadium of Light was the venue for a sunny 3pm kick off. Sunderland were making their first premier league appearance since May 2017. The Black Cats last game in the top flight was a five-one loss to champions Chelsea.
West Ham, however, were looking to make it three consecutive away wins in the Prem. The Hammers beat both Ipswich and Manchester United away in their final two away fixtures of last season. Optimism was low going in to the new season. A dismal 14th placed finish was followed by the sale of star player, Mohammed Kudus, to London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs.
It was a dull first half as Regis Le Bris’ side were still getting used to each other against a flat West Ham side. However, it was a clinical second half showing from Sunderland. Headers from Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard, before Wilson Isidor’s curled effort in injury time put the icing on top of a well earned three points. A statement win from the Black Cats.
Derby County 3-5 Coventry City – Championship
It was an eight goal thriller in one of three early kick-offs in the EFL Championship. The Rams were looking to get their first points on the board after being on the receiving end of Stoke City’s late show last weekend. Coventry were looking to get their first win on the board after their goalless draw against Hull City.
There was optimism around both clubs going in to the new season. John Eustace was preparing for his first full season in charge at Pride Park, after keeping the Rams up last season on the final day. Signings such as Carlton Morris, Dion Sanderson, Andreas Weinmann, Bobby Clark and Owen Beck have given Derby fans hope that they can push for the play-offs this season.
Similarly, Frank Lampard was also preparing for his first full season in charge of Sky Blues. The 47 year old joined in November 2024, with Coventry lurking around the bottom three. However, Lampard managed to transform the midlands side, taking them in to fifth place and the play-offs. Play-off heartbreak would follow, as Lampard’s men lost out to a 120th minute winner from Sunderland’s Dan Ballard for a spot at Wembley. The Sky Blues will back for more this season, as they have their sights firmly set on the automatic spots.
It was Coventry who struck first at Pride Park, in the seventh minute. A low bouncing ball from a wide free kick was met with a punch from Derby goalkeeper, Jacob Zetterstrom. The ball cannoned off Bobby Thomas’s head and bounced in to the bottom corner.
Five minutes later, Derby had a free kick on a tight angle just outside the box. Callum Elder hit a beauty of a strike on his stronger left foot in to the top left corner to level things up.
Ephron Mason-Clark would win a penalty for the visitors in the 23rd minute, courtesy of Dion Sanderson’s challenge in the box. Haji Wright stepped up and slotted an ice cool penalty in to the middle of the goal.
Derby won a penalty of their own in half time injury time. A handball was punished by the referee after a slight delay in decision making. Carlton Morris cooly converted in to the bottom right corner. It was honours even at the break.
The Rams came out the better of the two sides in the second half. Ebou Adams gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the game with his composed finish inside the box.
Coventry then scored three times in seven minutes, from the 72nd to the 79th minute. Brandon Thomas-Asante, Ephron Mason-Clark and Victor Torp ensured all three points were going back to CV6.
Blackpool 3-2 Huddersfield Town – League One
10-man Blackpool managed to hold off Huddersfield to ensure their first points this season. This result also ended Huddersfield’s 100% start to the season.
Blackpool had started the season off with two shock defeats. A three-two loss to Stevenage on the opening day was followed by a four-one battering in Exeter. Not the start Steve Bruce was looking for, as he aims to get his tricky tangerines in to the top six come May. Huddersfield had started the season off with two wins from two. A comfortable win at the Accu Stadium against Leyton Orient was followed by another clean sheet and a late show down in Reading.
It was the Terriers who hit the ground running on the West coast. Ben Wiles shot from outside the box arrowed in to the bottom right corner to give Town the lead four minutes in.
Niall Ennis calm finish levelled the score in the 13th minute. The Tangerines would then take the lead five minutes later courtesy of Lee Evans. The 31 year old’s strike from more than 18 yards turned the game around for Blackpool.
It wasn’t long before Niall Ennis doubled his tally for the day. His shot from inside the box gave Blackpool a two goal lead in the 25th minute.
Lynden Gooch would get his first Town goal in the 31st minute to half the deficit.
Niall Ennis was then shown a straight red card for his challenge on Jack Whatmough in the 36th minute.
The Tangerines survived a second half onslaught from Lee Grant’s side to ensure all three points and end the Terriers’ 100% record.